97 A/C leaking
 

Where is a common area for the ac system to leak?

On my 97 GMC ext cab, I've looked at all the exposed areas under the hood for any oil leakage.

Compressor has been changed recently around 6 months back by the PO.

I've even leaked checked using my air compressor to 125 PSI using a sound leak detector. Nothing found.

I don't have access to Nitrogen to test with.

I've vacuum down the system & let set for around a week, & it held.

Then I have recharged & within a month, it's almost out of Freon again.

I've did this 2 times.

I'm hoping that the evap under the dash is not leaking. I don't want to have to remove the big monster.

I really don't want to use one of those leak sealants unless someone has a preference to using one that does work.

Any ideas ???

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

If the system held a vacuum for a week you should feel good about all lines and cores are good. The compressors during those years were known for leaking where the case halves join. Could be an intermittent leak at that point.
New or reman'd compressor? Seal behind clutch?

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Charge it with a die or get a leak detector and quit playing games. An AC shop can do both for very little $. Then do the fix yourself.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Die had been put into the system by the PO & the compressor was replaced.

Again, my question was where is the most common places for leaks?

I'm thinking on replacing all the hoses & condenser, but wanted some input if the evap is a common place for a leak.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Most common is compressor. My evaporator leaked, I had to change it.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Evaporator and condenser are common leak areas.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Thanks guys for the input.....

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Guessing the whole dash has to be pulled to replace the evaporator?

Dad's 95 has a leak. I put dye in and it doesn't show up anywhere under the hood, so I'm guessing it's the evap.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

I unbolted the dash and pulled it back. It looked like too much of a pain to take it out completely. If the dashboard is any color other than red then it's probably going to break. The red ones don't seem to break as bad as the others.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Could you let us know after its fixed? Im not sure If mine has the same issue (Have not checked it yet).

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

My 97 has leaked at the switches in the past.

Paul

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

I've decided to disconnect the hoses from the evap on the firewall side & see if I can figure a way of pulling a vacuum on it.

I'll see what I'll need to perform this after I remove those hoses.

In the mean time, I'm going to order everything new under the hood except for the compressor which is only 6 months old.

So far, Amazon has the best prices on everything I will need.

I'll update what I find out. I just hope I don't have to pull that dash out..

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

Be careful with Amazon. A lot of fake brand name parts, especially AC Delco. Also with “cheap parts” comes junk quality. Fuel pumps, AC compressors, and window regulators are all too common part items that people cheap out on and they end up doing the repair again in the near future.

I order all my AC Delco items from Rockauto. There are conspiracy theorists who say Rockauto has counterfeit items too, but I haven’t had a bad part yet compared to a large amount of “AC Delco” parts from Amazon that haven’t lasted and failed within a year. Just sayin

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

I've also bought from Rock Auto a lot over the years. But I did compare the parts number from Amazon & Rock Auto & were the same ACDelco #s. I haven't ordered anything yet. Going to wait till I isolate the evap core from the lines & pull a vacuum.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

This is my old evaporator.

Re: 97 A/C leaking
 

check all your hoses every 5.7 vortec i had they all leaked at the same spot where there is a cap with the air valve you cant remove buy new hoses